Nursery essentials - what to buy for the first days of baby's life?
“It’s a good thing babies don’t give you a lot of time to think. You fall in love with them and when you realize how much they love you back, life is very simple.” — Anita Diamant. As a new mother, sure there's tons of things you need to do, and setting up the baby's room shouldn't be that hard. You just need to make sure that it will make infant care easier and safer.
How to be ready for a newborn?
Camila – I am worried that I will miss something and will not be fully prepared for a baby. I have already bought onesies, diapers, a crib and a pram. Yesterday I spent all night reading mums’ blogs with recommendations for the first months after the birth.
Daniela – Oh, I know these feelings. Before I delivered my first baby – Mary, I was freaking out during the last month. I was reading books and I made shopping lists according to recommendations, but most of the stuff was useless and I just wasted a lot of money.
Camila – So what does a mother of a newborn need? I would really appreciate your advice!
Daniela – That’s amazing you have already bought the most necessary stuff. You were right, of course the most needed thing is a baby crib. Did you know that many parents get a bassinet/cradle or a co-sleeper instead of a full-size crib? I’ve heard many positive reviews about them.
Camila – What is the difference?
Daniela – A bassinet/cradle or a co-sleeper is a good choice if you don’t have enough space for a full-size crib, and it is also safe and comfortable for baby.
Camila – Oh I see. What kind of crib bedding should I buy?
Daniela – Yes bedding, of course… Before you buy that, you have to find a proper crib mattress. It should fit snugly with no more than two fingers width between the edges of the mattress and the crib side. For safety’s sake, a mattress should be firm, too. You’re not looking for the cushy feel that you may prefer in your mattress; you want something that will hold its shape and stay flat.
Camila – Okay, I will write down in my phone notes. And now a crib bedding set?
Daniela – No dear, now we will have to find a mattress cover. You’ll want at least two of these since you’ll need a dry one on hand to replace a soiled one in the middle of the night. But make sure to use a cover or pad that is recommended for your crib mattress dimensions.
Camila – Okay, mattress cover too.
Daniela – Then you will need crib sheets and beddings and I’d recommend you to try covering the mattress pad with a waterproof crib sheet, then layering your spare pad and a second crib sheet on top. That way when the baby wets through the first layer, you can just whip it off and the crib is ready to go again.
Camila – Ahaaa what materials should it be?
Daniela – 100% Cotton. It has to be made of soft and breathable fabrics so that your little one sleeps better. Also, you will need bumper bars.
Camila – Bumper bars? What’s that?
Daniela – It’s pads that go around the edge of the crib. They are developed to keep a baby's head from falling through the slats of the crib. Unique breathable fabric, safer for traditional bumpers, as it allows more air to pass through, which eliminates the risk of complications from a lack of oxygen in the baby, unlike using traditional bumpers.
Camila – Yeah, I need that, right! Listen, did you have a baby cot-top changer? Many people write that it is indispensable… and there are a lot of people who write the opposite..
Daniela – As for me, I got one and it seems very convenient: A waterproof changer which has a vinyl surface and can be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth and drying with a soft clean cloth. Once you have a changing mat, you don’t need to run around the house each time looking for a good place for changing and all the things that I need for it.
Camila – I believe that you are right. I will tell John that we will go together to buy all of these. Thank you Betsy!
Daniela – You are welcome, dear, just do not worry 😉 Ah yeah I almost forgot, but there’s more for you..
Camila – What is that?
Daniela – The breast-feeding nursing pillow, it helps you to adjust and sit comfortably for a long period while keeping the baby on the required level to make breast-feeding an easy and relaxing experience.
Camila – Yeah, thank you so much!
